Friday, March 9, 2012

Monday, March 5, 2012

As I sit in the waiting room full of people from all walks of life, I think of the lines of people waiting in Kitale for a doctor that is on strike. I think of how many children woke up in the streets, how many we're afraid to sleep, how many didn't wake up.

There has been good and bad post about the Kony 2012 video going around. Is the organization on the up and up? Don't know yet, but I do know that it has brought a lot of attention to the problem and that can't be all bad. We don't have to send them money, but do something, even if it is only telling one other person. Plant a seed. It is a fact that there are invisible children in Africa. Here are a couple of organizations that I follow, www.until then.com and www.mattawchildren.com

We had a guest speaker at Ebenezer yesterday, Ron Barker. He was funny, honest, direct, and probably stepped on a few toes, including mine. He also planted a seed, a seed that I hope grows into a Hospital Ship.

He stated that churches fall into two categories. The Love boat and the Hospital Ship. Everyone on the love boat is full of love, knows love, gives love; they Hospital ship is full of those needing love, needing forgiveness, needing rescue. I hope that we can spill over the limit of our walls with the spiritually sick, let them know that there is a Hospital Ship with people that love them and that God loves them and wants them to be well again. I am not saying that everyone that already attends my church does so in perfect spirituality, quiet the opposite. We are all human, and we all struggle with sin each and everyday. But we have God's Love, His Word, pray, and each other to heal us when we are sick.

I am currently reading Obeying the Great Commission. God wants us to spread His love and the gospel to others. Yes I'm going to Kenya to do this, but it starts right here. Are we turning into a Love Boat, keeping all the Love that God has for just us? If we are, that is the biggest sin of all. We KNOW what He wants us to do, and if we aren't doing it we will be judged on day for that. I also believe with all of my heart that Ebenezer is a Hospital Ship. Our Fall Festival, VBS, programs with the public schools, recovery programs, adult missions, youth missions. Sometimes I think just knowing Mrs. Betty Moore Bell will get you a long way on judgement day. She truly has a servants heart. I want that kind of heart. I want us ALL to have that kind of heart.

Last week I shared food with a seemingly homeless man. As I handed him the food on two occasions, he said "may God bless you and keep you." And even if he was really wanting money for drugs/alcohol, on those two days he was fed with love. He was reminded that people can be good and that God does work through small things. It may have been the next day, it may be next week, month, year. But at some point he will remember the kindness that was shown him. I thank God that He used me to show it. I was a "nurse" from the Ebenezer Hospital Ship, healing with love and kindness.

Friday, March 2, 2012

I lay in my bed with a roof over my head worrying about the rain outside. I don't want to put my rain jacket on and get in my car and drive in the rain. I don't like rain. I complain about rain.

I get to work and look at my new friend Kimberly's FB post. Last night while I was in my comfy bed, she was rescuing two 10 year old girls from the sex slave trade in Nairobi. Earlier this week, two new little boys are taken in at Mattaw. One's mother is in jail for wanting to kill him. I reflect on the children Katie has saved in Uganda. Picture her digging the bugs our of their feet, bathing them, loving them.

I know there are forgotten children here in the states. But the it's hard for me to picture here in the states, your mom and dad just going to find work and not coming home AND social services not getting involved. These kids are just left, on the streets, no one cares, they are considered filth. Adults just walk by them lying there, and don't even look down. Or if they do, it is to tell others not to get to close to the filth. It breaks my heart. I can't wait until we are there, helping, reminding them that they are loved, if by no one other than me, by God their Father.

Monday, February 27, 2012

Hey Mama,
I cannot believe it has been 5 years since you left this earth. I know that you are in Heaven with our Lord and are well and happy. I miss you terribly everyday. But I'm OK most of the time and actually happy too. I feel you with me and I know that you are proud of the path my life is on.

Caleb is getting so big, he's 14 now. He is doing very well in school and is involved in sports. You would be so proud! He is involved in the youth group at Ebenezer. His teachers say he participates openly in classes. He's polite and well mannered. He and I still talk about you often, he has great memories with you.

We have been through some ruff times in the last 5 years, but we have come out of it OK, and me stronger in my faith. I am so glad that I trusted God to be in control of my everyday life, not just my Sundays. I know that thru everything we do, He is in control and wants the best for us. Caleb and I joined Ebenezer in November 2010. We started going with Mimi and Papa and just felt it was time to become part of the church family. Caleb has gone on some trips with the youth and made some really good friends. I have a wonderful sunday school class and a bible study group that I don't think I could do life without anymore.

I have been on a journey of spiritual growth Mama. I love it, crave to study more. I love my Drawing Room time with God. I love that I pray my way to work most mornings. This wonderful journey is taking me to Africa Mama. I am going to work in a children's village in Kenya this summer. Can you imagine?! I would have never seen myself leaving the United States, much less going to Africa. You remember how afraid of planes I was? My friend Sherrie helped God help me with the fear of flying.God has made it possible for me to travel with a group from church to Kenya to share His love with these children. I know you will be with me every step of the way.

God sent me Sherrie Gilreath from Atlanta since you've been gone. She lost her mama too. I finally was able to see what I look like with a full head of hair! She has been a good friend. She has also been a great encouragement in my spiritual growth.

I talked to Jeannette and Daddy every now and then. Ricky is still mad at me for spending time with Melanie and the boys Thanksgiving 2010. I am hoping one day he will realize how important family is. Melanie lets us see the boys when they come home. They are all getting so big. Hard to believe that Caleb will be driving in a year!

I know you already know all of these things, but I just felt the need to write it down for you to see on this Anniversary of you starting your life with our Savior. I am so happy for you, but still get really sad here at times. I know you are happy and don't want us to be sad. I know you were ready. I love you Mama!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Happy that I could share my testimony. Happy that I could thank my church family for their love. Happy that we live in a nation where we can meet and openly praise God. Happy that I met some new people by going to both services at our church. Happy that I had three laughing boys at the lunch table. Happy that I get to spend time with my Kenya group this afternoon. Happy that our church family will share a meal this evening. Happy that even though tomorrow will be 5 years that my mom passes away, she was with me this morning as I shared my story of giving my life to Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:9-10
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Thursday, February 23, 2012

I have been preparing to give my testimony at our worship services this coming Sunday. I have just sat down and started typing, letting God guide me to what to put on the paper. I think my notes have changed at least once a day since I started this process. For the life of me I couldn't figure out why I was asked. This past year has been pretty horrible for my family. They economy and housing markets have made us make changes and get rid of most of our material things. Adjusting to sharing a home with my in-laws. Recovering from surgeries. We've had better years. But as I wrote, pages and pages started filling up.

This has been one of the best years of my life. When I sat back and read the words I had on the paper, I realized that although we have gone thru some tuff times in the last couple years, I am happier than I have been in a long time. We are blessed. Blessed to have a roof over our heads, family that loves me, a good job, and on and on. I also know that all of this is because Jesus has never left my side. I gave him my yoke and he has showed us the best in the situations we dealt with and all I can do is praise Him.

I was reading Matthew 25 this week since that is what David will be giving his message on. And because I am trying to make it all about me, I think what do I have to give for God's use? Then I go back and start reading my notes. It's not how much we have, but how well we use what we have. I pretty much have nothing left (material possessions). But I do have and have used the love God has given me. If nothing else I pray every morning that others may see how God has changed me thru my daily actions. I want to ooze His love. I want people to ask me about my new outlook and be able to share what God has done in my life.

AHA! This is why David asked me to give my testimony - for the Glory of God